Coaches are at the heart of the AYSO organization, because as a coach you have the most contact with the kids. Coaching requires that you commit to two afternoons per week for practice sessions, plus the game on Saturday. With the time that you should be spending preparing for practices and games, this is a significant commitment of time. Carpinteria AYSO appreciates the time that you have committed, and hopes to provide you with advice and assistance to make your coaching experience a positive one.

Why Should I Coach?

• It's FUN!
• It's a great break from work.
• It makes you feel good.
• It's a great way to put something back into the community.

The rewards come in the form of watching the kids have fun at a game or practice, watching their individual skills and teamwork improve, and there is also a great sense of accomplishment when you reach the end of a season and look back and see how far the team has come.

Coaches have to put in a lot of work during the course of the season: 2 practices per week, plus a game on Saturday, plus preparation time for each practice, plus general administrative work. Over the course of an 11 week season this is well over 50 hours of work. While there are other volunteer positions that require more time, coaching provides the greatest opportunity for you to have fun!

And for those who have "serious" jobs, there is no better way to regain your perspective than to watch a bunch of 7 year olds at practice.

How Old Do I Have To Be?

I don't have the upper and lower limits on hand, but we have some fairly "senior" coaches who are still out there working with the kids, and we have a good number of young or "youth" coaches (under the age of 18). High school age coaches often provide terrific role models for the young players, and these coaches have typically grown up playing the game.

We do require that an adult (or at least someone over 18) be at every game and practice, but Carpinteria AYSO strongly encourages youth coaches and referrees. (Rumor has it that AYSO coaching looks really good on your transcript.)

How Do I Become A Coach?

If you have a child that is already on a team which has a coach, just let the coach know that you are interested in coaching and would like to help. Most of our coaches will be delighted to use you.
If you are interested in coaching for the 2000 season, you can contact the Commissioner.

Administration

The coach side of the organization is supervised by the Region Chief Coach , with help from the Assistant Chief Coach. The responsibility of these positions is the recruiting and training of the coaches for the individual teams. The coaches in each age group will have direct contact with their Division Commissioners, who are responsible for assigning coaches to teams and for the formation of the teams.

By the way, if you would like to find out more about the way Region 683 runs, you could volunteer as an Assistant Division Commissioner. Most of you are probably aware that the Division Commissioners put in a lot of work to make sure that the divisions are run smoothly, and they can always use help.